Ritual was our focus in January. "Ritual" might be a softer word than "habit" + adds a dimension of intention too. This month, rituals as simple as homecoming hugs came into focus as treasured moments of turning + connection.
"The turning" has been a particular spot of enlightenment this month. It started as a name for a moment we take each morning to turn our minds away from all that distracts + toward our intention. I can get so wound up in what I need to do, what others think, how they misunderstood me, etc., etc. Soon my mind has led me so far off track from where I want to be + how I want to think. I need to interrupt it all + change directions.
Some call it meditation. We're calling it "the turning". We sit comfortably, set a timer, close our eyes + sit in silence. Recently, I have been focusing on the statement, "I am breaking old patterns + moving toward love." It's been a particularly beautiful + useful addition to our mornings.
I need some form of this turning multiple times throughout my day. I have a recurring alarm set on my phone reminding me to do it after work, as a transition to my after-work state of being as well. My partner carries an item in his pocket that he can grab hold of in order to redirect his mind as needed throughout his day. It's helpful to be doing this together + to be able to remind each other of how we want to be without fear of sounding preachy. We are at once each other's sounding board, teammate + cheer leader.
We are recognizing some of our other rituals as "turnings" as well these days. Our homecoming hugs (that we intentionally move our bodies + take the time to do) turn us away from our work days toward a time of reconnection. Our extended weekend hike or walk turns us away from so much that occupies our minds + toward nature + appreciating our home place. Drinking tea with nothing in front of us except each other turns us away from devices, news or entertainment + toward "we". Reading a book together turns us away from our individual pursuits + toward shared focus + growth.
The turning...a ritual that captures our attention + opens our hearts in the right direction.
Love,
Jane
"The turning" has been a particular spot of enlightenment this month. It started as a name for a moment we take each morning to turn our minds away from all that distracts + toward our intention. I can get so wound up in what I need to do, what others think, how they misunderstood me, etc., etc. Soon my mind has led me so far off track from where I want to be + how I want to think. I need to interrupt it all + change directions.
Some call it meditation. We're calling it "the turning". We sit comfortably, set a timer, close our eyes + sit in silence. Recently, I have been focusing on the statement, "I am breaking old patterns + moving toward love." It's been a particularly beautiful + useful addition to our mornings.
I need some form of this turning multiple times throughout my day. I have a recurring alarm set on my phone reminding me to do it after work, as a transition to my after-work state of being as well. My partner carries an item in his pocket that he can grab hold of in order to redirect his mind as needed throughout his day. It's helpful to be doing this together + to be able to remind each other of how we want to be without fear of sounding preachy. We are at once each other's sounding board, teammate + cheer leader.
We are recognizing some of our other rituals as "turnings" as well these days. Our homecoming hugs (that we intentionally move our bodies + take the time to do) turn us away from our work days toward a time of reconnection. Our extended weekend hike or walk turns us away from so much that occupies our minds + toward nature + appreciating our home place. Drinking tea with nothing in front of us except each other turns us away from devices, news or entertainment + toward "we". Reading a book together turns us away from our individual pursuits + toward shared focus + growth.
The turning...a ritual that captures our attention + opens our hearts in the right direction.
Love,
Jane
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